The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-23
CINCINNATI LETTER.

CINCINNATI LETTER.
Though this city is not noted for it's in
terest in religion, it is well supplied with
churches of different denominations, some
of which are costly and beautiful. Upon
warm Sunday evening 1 went to see the
Unique Edifce
Of the First Baptist parish, whose interi-
or bears strong resemblance to a small
theatre. Its ventilation seemed defective,
but the acoustic properties are excellent.
BY means of an ample gallery large
audience can be seated within easy reach
OF the preachers voice, and as the floor
is inclined toward the pulpit, all COM
mand good view of the minister and
choir. Rev. M. O. Lockwood, the pastor,
is interested in political economy, and
has preached many sermons upon labor,
capital and kindred themes. His text
was Gen xvii. 20. Chow is it thou hast
found it so quickly, my SON.? The ser
mon was q criticism of the theories OF
Henry George; temperate in it's state
ments, and calculated to do good. MIR.
Lockwood dresses in the height of style,
has very dramatic manner, and evil
IDENTIFY courts popularity. l am special
ly pleased with q
Question Box Sermon
recently delivered by Rev. Geo. P. Hays,
d. D., the learned pastor of the Second
Presbyterian church. It will be repnem-
bered that this is the parish of which
DR.. Lyman Beecher was pastor from 1888
to 1843 The evening was warm, but the
spacious church was full of intelligent
and attentive hearers. DR.. Hays has
much of the keen wit and epigrammatic
force which distinguishes DR.. A. A. Miner,
and, like him, can handle wide variety
of subjects in mastery way. He took
from the question box perhaps dozen
pieces of paper, upon which were written
queries which he answered, some briefly,
and others at considerable length. Among
the interrogatories were these: "Oan a
Suicide be Saved?" "Yes," he replied, eff
the act results from disease, insanity or
other extenuating cause. SIS Cremation
Consistent with the Doctrines of the Pres.
byterian church," Does the Immanence
of God in Nature harmonize with the doc
trine of the Trinity?" "Does not the Dis
tribution of Animals initiate Against the
Theory of Especial Creation?" Several
questions in regard to evolution, and in
conclusion this, els Endless Punishment
Consistent with the Perfect Goodness of
God?" which he was forced by his creed
to answer in the affirmative. By such
sermons the Indifferent are interested.
people of an inquiring mind are attracted
and pleasing variety in the Sunday
evening service is secured.
The Drift Of Population
to which allusion was made in my last
letter, is the theme of recent epistle by
Rev. Geo. A. Thayer, to the members of
the First Congregational (Unitsrian)
church, of which he is the minister. He
states that the parish is constantly losing
attendants and revenue by the removal
of people to the hill tops and suburbs.
The evident fact, howsoever melancholy,
is, that Protestant churches can not hold
their own in the lower city. "To attempt
to maintain the church where we are ION
Plum street,, has long been seen by sa-
gacious members, to be impractical"
His candid and convincing words apply
with even greater force to the Universal
ist parish. A change of location must be
made, or inevitable death will be the re-
suit. To secure needed changes great
care and forethought are necessary, but
/ believe the Cincinnati people are de-
voted to our church, and will be willing
to do whatever is for the best good of the
cause.
Rev. T. H. Johnson,
ordained in 1941, is still in good health,
and retains his interest in the Universal
ist church. He talks very entertainingly
about the history of our church in Ohio,
and has many "reminiscences of ministers
and laymen of former days. At the
Plum Street Church
there is good degree of interest. Three
devoted members of the Sundsy-school
were received into the church at the last
communion. July 10, Mr.. A. A. Stearns
gave dignited, earnest and interesting
address in behalf of Buchtel College,
which was listened to by a good-sized
and attentive audience. Every Univers-
alist should be proud of the good work
the college has done, its present prosper
ity, and it's fine opportunities of useful
ness in the future.
As usual, the Cincinnati church will be
closed during August, but after the vaca-
ton it is hoped that the people will labor
with renewed zeal and energy for the up
building of our cause. E.w.w.